2 Detroit men accused of stealing wheels from Washington Township car dealership

Deputy notices U-Haul in car dealership, stops men during attempted robbery

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Two Detroit men have been arrested for allegedly stealing wheels from a Washington Township car dealership, police said.

Stealing wheels is a growing crime across the region and country, and the culprits have been tough to catch, according to police.

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office said Duane Hood, 27, and Darrell Fox, 33, went right for the best and most expensive wheels on the lot.

Investigators said the men had stolen 16 wheels and tires off of Challengers, Chargers and Jeeps by 2 a.m. Monday when a deputy drove by.

The deputy saw the U-Haul backed into a space and it caught his eye.

"I think he saw a van backed in there," Lt. John Michalke said.

The deputy found cars without wheels in the lot. Hood and Fox ran, leaving a stack of rims and tires behind.

Police needed two K-9 units, Michigan State Police troopers and Romeo police officers to track down the men an hour later.

Car dealership owners and police officers are frustrated all over Metro Detroit with the new rash of wheel thieves. But an alert deputy put a stop to this attempted robbery in Washington Township.

"That stretch has been targeted, and we are grateful these guys got caught," Michalke said.

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